I like everything except for the M3/M4 bid ... what's this all about ... ???

The first M3 was interduced in the 1986 model year E30 3-Series.

With the excelent history the M3 made over the past 27 years and all the fine work the ///M Devision put into this car, why would anyone in there right mind now call it a M4 ??? (I realize it's only for the coupe) I like the coupe and I guess my e92 will be my very last M3.

M4 what is that ??? some of us do know it is excactly this as shown below. In 1994 the US miletary officially accepted the XM4 into service as the M4 carbine gun. Let's keep the M3 badge for the coupe whatever you do please.

Well, may be some of you do not care. As a long term 3er/M3 enthusiast, we do care.

Look at it this way, go into your garage, look at your E92 and know that you will own the LAST M3 coupe.
It might make it that much more special
I'm looking forward to the new M4 coupe. I will add it to my garage (and keep my current M3), if it looks and performs like the latest render and rumors suggest.
I think BMW are using the number designation below their rivals AUDI?
Audi A4 (sedan)= BMW 3 series (sedan)
Audi S4 (performance sedan) = BMW M3 (performance sedan)
Audi A5 (coupe) = BMW 4 series (coupe)
Audi RS5 (performance coupe) = BMW M4 (performance coupe)
This may be why the change is necessary

Look at it this way, go into your garage, look at your E92 and know that you will own the LAST M3 coupe.
It might make it that much more special
I'm looking forward to the new M4 coupe. I will add it to my garage (and keep my current M3), if it looks and performs like the latest render and rumors suggest.
I think BMW are using the number designation below their rivals AUDI?
Audi A4 (sedan)= BMW 3 series (sedan)
Audi S4 (performance sedan) = BMW M3 (performance sedan)
Audi A5 (coupe) = BMW 4 series (coupe)
Audi RS5 (performance coupe) = BMW M4 (performance coupe)
This may be why the change is necessary

It would be easy for people to say that if he/she can add or change car easier. There are fan boys like me that grow up with this series. The 3er/M3 is the most beautiful and comprehensive series with rich legacy that can fulfill people like me the dream and prides at different stages. I started with 325ic when I cannot afford the M3. Later moved to 3 series Sedan with kid and now my son became bigger, I got approval to have a M3 Coupe… Because of this heritage, my wife is driving X3 and my son is a BMW lover and will certainly become a BMW customer in the future. This is the way how BMW expand their customer base but not the Corporates greed suggested by some people that the M4 will generate more margins.

Frankly, the ///M badge and M division became so popular and successful is because of the M3 legacy. If they segregate M3 into M3 and M4, it will dilute the brand equity and the M will not be the most powerful letter anymore.

It is insane that BMW is following its competitor’s number strategy and bound themselves the models and styles design by a number system. No wonder Audi has suppressed BMW and Mercedes and is viewed as a more innovative company here in Germany.

I am not against a M4 to exist, BMW should make use of the 4 product line to fill the product gap that they do not have when compare to competitors such as the Audi R8.

Frankly, the ///M badge and M division became so popular and successful is because of the M3 legacy. If they segregate M3 into M3 and M4, it will dilute the brand equity and the M will not be the most powerful letter anymore.

You are saying that if they change a "3" into a "4" they are diluting the brand?
Jezus christ people, you are all brainwashed by marketing. Seriously.

Either you believe in "BMW M", and you don't care what name or number they put on a car, as long as it lives up to the M standards.
Or you just want to brag to your friends with your M3 badge.

You are saying that if they change a "3" into a "4" they are diluting the brand?
Jezus christ people, you are all brainwashed by marketing. Seriously.

Either you believe in "BMW M", and you don't care what name or number they put on a car, as long as it lives up to the M standards.
Or you just want to brag to your friends with your M3 badge.

Of course we all got brainwashed by marketing at certain level. Otherwise there is no need for the M brand car. Why not randomly call the car 340i instead of M3?

The M3 and some other M cars like M1, M5 make the M division so popular and successful and then this “M” brand makes the other M cars so popular and successful. Now BMW is going to cut this core brand - M3 into half by sharing with M4. This will certainly affect the brand image.

We do not choose to drive M3 to brag friends or other people. When I drive my M3 and get appreciation from people on the street, I feel good because I know that they have good knowledge of car. Otherwise, they just think that this is just another German make Coupe or Sedan! If I drove Porsche or Ferrari and got appreciation, I bet 90% of them just thought that I can afford a dam expensive sport car.

I can accept some car lovers come to the forum and claim that they do not care about the M3, M4 branding. There are people who change car (model and brand) like changing girlfriends any way. However, there are some die hard BMW enthusiasts that the M3 branding is matter to them and you need to accept this as well.

I don't have any fundamental problem with BMW expanding the M line. It makes good sense all around; marketing, business, customer perspective, etc. I even like M SUVs. The X6M is one sick vehicle I would own/drive any day. I also like the little 1M despite it being sort of a parts bin type of car.

My problem is that they are splitting the coupe/sedan which have both always been M3s into M4/M3. That is unneeded dilution and confusion as the M3 Coupe "magically" becomes the M4. I suspect there may be some other changes to distinguish the cars. I can't imagine they will be quite as identical (less door count) as today's E92 and E90 M3. I'd guess they will also want the M4 to be priced higher. I certainly do not like this likely outcome of having to spend quite a bit more just to have a coupe.

What do others think on how identical the M4 and M3 will be less the obvious issue of door count?

I don't have any fundamental problem with BMW expanding the M line. It makes good sense all around; marketing, business, customer perspective, etc. I even like M SUVs. The X6M is one sick vehicle I would own/drive any day. I also like the little 1M despite it being sort of a parts bin type of car.

My problem is that they are splitting the coupe/sedan which have both always been M3s into M4/M3. That is unneeded dilution and confusion as the M3 Coupe "magically" becomes the M4. I suspect there may be some other changes to distinguish the cars. I can't imagine they will be quite as identical (less door count) as today's E92 and E90 M3. I'd guess they will also want the M4 to be priced higher. I certainly do not like this likely outcome of having to spend quite a bit more just to have a coupe.

What do others think on how identical the M4 and M3 will be less the obvious issue of door count?

The name change does not have to bother everyone, but it does matter to many of us who have followed the M3 for many years. If we wanted to brag, we'd be driving something with a Porsche crest or a used Aston Martin. Additionally, having a higher number like 4 would be something braggarts would like, so another reason such posts are nonsensical.

Very few people in the general public know what an M3 is, but for BMW to randomly change the name and charge us more for it is displeasing. Now, unless they totally mess it up (which I'm sure they won't) it won't stop me buying the car but I may possibly "downgrade" the badge back to a 3 or lose it all together. If that annoys some people well, all the better.

Carl, with all due respect, it's somewhat ironic that you accused the other poster of being unhappy and impolite and then call his post nonsensical (not exactly polite) while being unhappy about the name change.

I agree with him that the number or even the M badge doesn't matter as long as it drives like one. A rose by any other name would smell as sweet. M nostalgia is nice but at the end of the day, it's how a car drives that's the bottom line.

Carl, with all due respect, it's somewhat ironic that you accused the other poster of being unhappy and impolite and then call his post nonsensical (not exactly polite) while being unhappy about the name change.

I agree with him that the number or even the M badge doesn't matter as long as it drives like one. A rose by any other name would smell as sweet. M nostalgia is nice but at the end of the day, it's how a car drives that's the bottom line.

Seems a reach to compare my style of posting with his, but I certainly did not mean to cause you any offense.

Again, I appreciate your view that the name change does not matter, I just happen to disagree. No right or wrong way to think on this, but the expected price hike associated with separating the sedan and coupe lines is highly unfortunate if realized.